20 Facts About Hezi Shai

Hezi Shai is a former tank commander in the Israeli Defense Forces.

Hezi Shai was born in Nes Ziona, Israel, to Shlomo and Doris Shai, both immigrants from Baghdad.

Hezi Shai studied at a national-religious school in Pardes Katz.

Hezi Shai served as a staff sergeant and tank commander during his army service.

Hezi Shai's son Omer, born one year after Shai's release, was named in honor of Dr Herbert Amry, the Austrian diplomat who mediated the release.

On 9 June 1982, three days after the 1982 Lebanon War broke out, Hezi Shai was called up with other reservists.

Hezi Shai commanded a tank deployed in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub.

Hezi Shai came out and saw me and said, 'You are an Israeli.

Hezi Shai was questioned by gun-wielding PFLP-GC members, then blindfolded and shoved into the trunk of a car.

Hezi Shai was bound hand and foot and the car drove off.

Hezi Shai later realized that this was a subterfuge used to smuggle him into Damascus.

Hezi Shai was held for two years in a dirty bathroom in a Damascus apartment.

Hezi Shai spent hours lying on his back thinking about his wife and family.

Hezi Shai was able to obtain a Tanakh and fashioned small houses and cars out of matchsticks to maintain his sanity.

Hezi Shai was interrogated frequently by his captors and asked to see a Red Cross representative, but his request was denied.

Two years into his ordeal, Hezi Shai was transferred to a larger cell.

Hezi Shai was briefly given over to interrogation by the Syrians, who "beat him with broomsticks and subjected him to electric shocks" before returning him to the Jibril group.

On 5 July 1984, Amry visited Hezi Shai, took his picture, and asked him to write a letter to his wife.

Grof, Salem, and Hezi Shai were delivered to Red Cross representatives at the Geneva Airport on 20 May 1985.

Hezi Shai speaks before Israeli soldier groups, gives interviews to media on prisoner negotiations, and visits families of captured soldiers to offer encouragement.